Temple Jarlath

Within a probably early ecclesiastical enclosure (GA029-180003-). Confused by some authors (Grose 1791, vol. 1, 64; Leask 1960a, 72; Killanin and Duignan 1967, 444) with the 'Abbey of the Holy Trinity' (GA029-178----). The remains consists of a poorly preserved rectangular 13th-C parish church (E-W; L. c. 21m, Wth c. 7m) with a later tower at W end. Of the church, only E gable survives intact along with the adjoining sections of N and S side-walls, and a fragment at NW corner. There is a fine triple-light pointed arch Transitional window (Leask ibid., 72-3, 75), now partially blocked, in E gable. In the masonry above it are a number of Romanesque heads (Leask ibid., 161-2; Andersen 1975), probably from an earlier church. A modern burial vault abuts E end of N wall. The square W tower, U-shaped in plan, abutted W gable wall. Two storeys survive with a modern vault between ground/1st floor and a robbed single-light window in W wall on 1st floor; the interior of the ground floor is plastered and occupied by a tomb. (Costello 1902a; O'Flanagan 1927, Vol. 1, 31, 46; Ó Murchú 1970, 12-13; Harbison 1975, 101-2; Bradley and Dunne 1992, 173-4) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. II - North Galway'. Compiled by Olive Alcock, Kathy de hÓra and Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999). Date of upload: 05 August 2010